As the ACT’s population grows and housing affordability and sustainability challenges intensify, cohousing presents an innovative alternative to conventional development. This research investigates how planning rules, construction codes, and ownership structures are shaping the future of cohousing, and offers clear policy reforms to unlock its potential.
Such reforms would provide a regulatory environment that better supports the diverse needs and design aspirations of cohousing communities looking for affordable and sustainable housing solutions.
Through case studies, stakeholder interviews, and detailed policy analysis, the study maps how planning reforms between 2017 and 2025 have shaped opportunities for cohousing, while also identifying areas where progress is still needed. By highlighting both the challenges and the possibilities, it demonstrates how cohousing can foster more affordable, environmentally sustainable, and socially connected communities.